Winter is here — which means shorter days and colder temperatures. It’s important to take the necessary steps to keep your home and family warm and toasty throughout the season. Help extend the overall life of your heating system and keep things running smoothly with these tips:

Replace Air Filters Regularly. A dirty filter can restrict air flow, causing your system to work harder to heat your home. You should change or clean your filter once a month. Filters help keep the coil and heat exchanger clean, which can increase energy efficiency, minimize breakdowns and extend the life of your equipment.

Keep Vents Clear. Make sure they’re not blocked by drapes, carpeting or furniture.

Clean Return Air Registers. This will help to reduce allergens and can help improve the efficiency of your heating system.

Clear Snow and Ice from your Outdoor Units and Exhaust Pipes. Heavy snow buildup can cause failures in condensing units and heat pumps by restricting air flow. The buildup of snow and ice can also prevent the unit from properly defrosting, which can significantly shorten the lifespan of your system.

Install a Programmable or Learning Thermostat. Your thermostat controls half your energy bill – more than appliances or electronics. Programmable and learning thermostats make it easy for you to save energy by offering settings to regulate your home’s temperature when you are home, asleep or away. So, you can set it and forget it!

Check your Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors.  Test the batteries in each at least twice a year to make sure they are still working. A good rule of thumb is to test them when you change your clocks for daylight savings.

NJR Home Services is here to help keep you comfortable all year long. If you’re experiencing an issue with your heating system or need information about replacement options, call 877-466-3657 or click here to request a quote.